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It was so Canadiana, the kind of scene you'd like to see painted, then framed and put on your wall.

It was the kind of day Senators defenceman Marc Methot remembers so well from his childhood, playing at Owl Park or on any of a number of outdoor rinks in Ottawa.

With the sun shining, with wisps of clouds in the distance, with a couple of hundred school children gathered around the boards bellowing Go Sens Go, it was a beautiful day -- even if it only lasted for an hour or so.

With students from Ecole elementaire catholique Sainte-Anne and York St. Public School invited to watch, the Senators hopped off a bus and practised on the Sens RINK Project ice surface at Jules Morin Park. Afterward, there was plenty of chatter about the experience -- and about the huge Team Canada-USA Olympic semi-final showdown on Friday.

"It was a little bumpy," said Methot, who went to high school at nearby De La Salle. "You're not expecting it to be a high-quality ice surface outside. We made the best of it. It was a lot of fun. Being able to practise downtown here in that backyard is pretty cool for me.

"When I was a kid, I skated outside all the time. Wherever there was an outdoor rink and there were players, that's what I was looking for. It seemed like there was an outdoor rink every two blocks. You couldn't get me off the ice. My old man and my mom would have to come and drag me off. It's a surreal feeling being back out here. This is my first time as a professional hockey player skating on an outdoor rink."

It was hard to find a player who wasn't excited.

"It brings you back to your roots a bit," said captain Jason Spezza. "We played a lot as kids on outdoor rinks."

"People east of B.C. grow up playing on outdoor rinks," said Kyle Turris. "There's one right down from my house (in Ottawa). I've been out there a couple of times this winter. It brings you back to your childhood."

There's also a civic sense attached to the day.

"It's an important part of our responsibility as the Ottawa Senators to make sure we give back to the community as much as we possibly can and in as many ways as we can," said Senators coach Paul MacLean, who helped put the rink together a year ago.

Talk drifted to Canada-USA. Before this season, Methot and Spezza were two players considered to be in the mix to play for Canada.

"It crosses my mind," said Methot. "I didn't play well out of the gate. I'm finally coming around now. It's one of those things where you still want to cheer on your country. You'd like to think you didn't make a team that won the tournament. There are a lot of great players on that team so I have nothing to be ashamed of. It's going to be awesome. It's a great rivalry and the U.S. is looking real good. As far as I'm concerned, the game is up for grabs. The rivalry these days is almost unparalleled. I saw a thing floating around online where the loser would have to take Justin Bieber. It's great. It brings people together."

When asked how he thought the game might shake down, MacLean said: "Go Canada go. Canada's 4-0 and they've played well, the U.S. has played well. It should be a great game."

Two absences from the outdoor session were Jared Cowen, who skated on his own, and Bobby Ryan, who was kept off the ice. Both are expected back to practice on Friday.

Ottawa Senators practice outdoors at Jules Morin Park

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Robin Lehner, left, looks to stop Clarke MacArthur, right. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Mika Zibanejad, right, gives a lucky fan a signed hockey puck. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Goalies Robin Lehner, left, and Craig Anderson are photographed after practice. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Mika Zibanejad has his photo taken with a fan. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Mika Zibanejad cools down after practice. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Goalie Craig Anderson signs a puck for a lucky fan. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Sens' captain Jason Spezza carries signed hockey pucks to lucky fans after practice. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Robin Lehner looks to stop Eric Gryba during a shootout. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Patrick Wiercioch shoots on Craig Anderson during a shootout. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Craig Anderson, left, looks to stop Zack Smith during a shootout. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Robin Lehner, left, looks to stop Jason Spezza in a shootout. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Eric Gryba and Chis Neil roughhouse during practice. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Fans, above, look on while Robin Lehner takes a knee. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Colin Greening, above, and Jason Spezza, run a drill during practice. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Chris Neil, left, and Zack Smith, right, looks to score on Robin Lehner, center. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Colin Greening, left, looks to tip a puck in front of Craig Anderson. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Erik Condra, left, falls after being bumped by Joe Corvo, right. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Erik Condra, left, falls after being bumped by Joe Corvo, right. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Colin Greening, left, looks for a loose puck in front of Craig Anderson. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. A couple hundred people lined snow banks to watch the Senators practice. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Robin Lehner, left, looks to stop Clarke MacArthur, right. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Craig Anderson makes a save, left, while Patrick Wiercioch, right, looks on. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. A couple hundred people lined snow banks to watch the Senators practice. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. A couple hundred people lined snow banks to watch the Senators practice. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Craig Anderson, left, bats the puck, while Colin Greening, right, looks on. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Jason Spezza, left, is followed by Marc Methot, onto the ice. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Senators' mascot, Spartacat, warms up the crowd. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Jason Spezza, passes fans as he walks to the ice. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Senators' mascot, Spartacat, dishes out hi-fives before practice. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Mika Zibanjed volleys the puck with his stick after practice. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Mika Zibanejad, left, and Cory Conacher, right, sign autographs for fans. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Robin Lehner, left, looks to stop Jason Spezza, right, during a shootout. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Mika Zibanejad signs a jersey for a lucky fan. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Tony Caldwell interviews Mike Zibanejad. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Fans are silhouetted as they line snow banks to watch practice. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Chris Phillips walks out to the ice. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

The Ottawa Senators hockey team took to the ice at Jules Morin Park in Ottawa for an outdoor practice on Thursday February 20, 2014. Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

Senators host outdoors practice in downtown Ottawa

The Senators and the Senators Foundation are teaming up today for a special event in the downtown.

The team will host a practice at an outdoors rink in Jules Morin Park, built in part by the foundation. School kids and other members of the public will be on hand to get a look at the players and watch the proceedings.